Alabama representatives vote 6-1 against 'fiscal cliff' bill

Senators divided on plan

The lights of the U.S. Capitol remain lit into the night as the House, at left, continues to work on the "fiscal cliff" legislation proposed by the Senate, in Washington, on Tuesday.

The Associated Press

The Associated Press

Published: Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 11:37 p.m.

MONTGOMERY | All six Republicans in Alabama's House delegation voted against legislation to avoid the fiscal cliff, while Sens. Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby are sharply divided on a deal to avoid tax increases on the middle class and major cuts to government spending.

Roby said raising taxes without cutting spending goes against her core beliefs. Brooks said it was wrong to rush monumental legislation through Congress without time for the American people to review it. Sewell said the bill wasn't perfect, but it extended long-term unemployment benefits and tax cuts for the middle class.

The bill was negotiated by Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. The proposed legislation prevents tax increases on the middle class, but imposes steeper rates on people with higher incomes.

Sessions issued a statement Tuesday saying the legislation will help end a period of uncertainty that may impact the country's opportunities for economic growth.

“This legislation is necessary to prevent a large and painful tax increase from falling on the vast majority of Americans,” sessions said. “Now, it is important that we place our focus directly on the real cause of our nation's looming debt crisis: the continued surge in spending.”

Shelby voted against the bill and said the country needs to exercise fiscal restraint.

“Instead, this package raises taxes, increases spending, and will lead to more borrowing,” Shelby said. “It falls far short of the measures necessary to promote job creation, economic growth and fiscal stability.”

Among other things, the proposed legislation blocks spending cuts for government agencies for two months and extends benefits for the long-term unemployed.

In a statement Tuesday, White House officials said the bill would impose a 39.6 percent tax on singles who earn more than $400,000 annually and married couples who jointly earn more than $450,000. Officials say the congressional Joint Committee on Taxation estimates raising taxes on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans would generate $620 billion in revenue.

Members of Alabama congressional delegation issued the following statements following the vote.

“For months I have been hopeful Congress could agree on a reasonable plan to reduce our deficit and finally begin to address our national debt. I've repeatedly stressed that a truly balanced plan must include cuts to mandatory government spending. Unfortunately, the deal forged by the Senate and the Vice President does not contain real spending cuts, and I cannot support it.

“I ran for Congress campaigning on the need to get government spending under control. A last-minute deal that raises taxes without cutting spending goes against my core beliefs and against the conservative values of Alabama's Second Congressional District. Alabamians didn't send me to Washington to raise their taxes so the President can spend more of their hard-earned dollars. They sent me to get control of spending so we can ensure America's promise for the next generation.

“Washington doesn't have a taxing problem; it has a spending problem. We have $16 trillion in debt. We spend more than a trillion dollars more than we take in every year. It's past time we get serious about this country's spending problem and restore fiscal sanity to the budget.”

"At the end of the day I just couldn't support – with my one vote – such a flawed process.

"There is simply no way Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison or our other founding fathers could have ever envisioned having the Senate pass a $4 trillion addition to the debt of our nation at 2:00 a.m., only to have the House take it up less than 20 hours later and there be no regard for the long-term damage we are doing to America's future.

"Over the past several months, President Obama didn't hide the fact that he loathes the success some Americans have worked so hard to enjoy and he will get the tax increases he has so openly sought. But to think he and the Democrats in Congress couldn't have come up with a penny – not a single penny – of cuts to offset the $4 trillion in new spending is beyond the pale.

"This is a sad day for our country but the saddest, at least to me, was when the American people, on November 6th, expressed with their vote that they believed we could continue down the path of more spending and borrowing with no consequences."

“I am disappointed this agreement does not significantly help reduce Federal spending and therefore I could not support it. I firmly believe our growing fiscal crisis is rooted in Washington's spending problem, and I hope that will be the focus of debate in the coming weeks.”

“In less than 24 hours on a national holiday, Congress introduced, considered, and passed legislation that increases America's deficit by $330 billion in what's left of Fiscal Year 2012-13 and by $353 billion in FY 2013-14.

“This extraordinarily complex legislation dramatically impacts taxes, revenue, the economy, our debt, health care, and a myriad of other issues. It is wrong to rush monumental legislation through Congress in a way that denies the American people an opportunity to review, understand, and share their insight with Congress. I could not, in good conscience, condone with my vote a flawed process that denies the American people an opportunity to participate in their Republic on issues of this magnitude.

“According to Admiral Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, America's greatest national security threat is its debt. America should heed Admiral Mullen's warning. The Senate's Fiscal Cliff bill, by itself, irresponsibly increases America's debt by $4 trillion over the next decade.[2] Rather than cut spending, it increases federal spending by $50 billion in FY 2012-13 and $55 billion in FY 2013-14. These spending increases will aggravate America's risk of a debilitating insolvency and bankruptcy.

“I found Alabama Senator Richard Shelby's remarks particularly persuasive when, after voting no, he stated: ‘I do not support this agreement. Our economy needs spending restraint by the federal government and fundamental tax reform that eliminates corporate welfare and lowers individuals' rates. Instead, this package raises taxes, increases spending, and will lead to more borrowing. This deal is certainly no cure-all; rather, it falls far short of the measures necessary to promote job creation, economic growth, and fiscal stability.

“Had the Senate's Fiscal Cliff Bill been limited to tax issues and properly deliberated, I would have likely voted for it because I favor protecting as many Americans as possible from income and estate tax increases Washington Democrats passed in December 2010, effective January 1, 2013. Unfortunately, this legislation was not properly deliberated and covered issues wholly unrelated to protection from tax increases.”

“It is understandable why many people have been frustrated with this process. The ‘fiscal cliff' did need to be addressed to avoid a massive tax increase on low and middle income Americans. But my personal view is that the legislation could have been much improved with the addition of spending cuts. The House, in fact, had already identified more than $200 billion in immediate potential savings. Unfortunately, the legislation sent to the House by the Senate actually increased the debt by $4 trillion. We cannot afford to keep adding to a huge debt that is already a threat to both our economic prosperity and national security, and without greater balance I could not vote for the legislation.”

“Tonight, I voted in favor of the bipartisan Senate bill to avert the fiscal cliff and avoid tax increases for 98% of Americans and 97% of our small businesses. While not perfect, the bill is a balanced and measured approach that includes revenues and spending cuts and permanently extends vital tax cuts for the middle class and working families. Moreover, two million Americans including 18,000 Alabamians who have experienced long-term unemployment will continue to receive emergency unemployment benefits.

I believe that the difference between a divided government and a dysfunctional government is the ability to compromise. I am glad that ultimately we have shown that when we work together for the common good of all Americans, this Congress can achieve workable solutions. To be sure, I do have serious concerns about the agreement. I had hoped we would realize more revenues and I am deeply concerned by the spending cuts to diabetic and renal care which disproportionally affects the minority families in my district and across this country. However, the compromise agreement is an acknowledgement of the need for shared sacrifice by all Americans to obtain economic growth. For the first time in twenty years, a bipartisan agreement has increased tax rates on the wealthy so that they contribute their fair share and the burden of deficit reduction is not solely on the middle class.

My vote tonight provides certainty to our financial markets, fixes permanently the AMT issue and protects 25 million working families by extending Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit and American Opportunity Tax Credit, which helps families pay for college. While there is still much work to do, I applaud President Barack Obama and our House and Senate Congressional Leadership for listening to the American people.”

“I do not support this agreement. Our economy needs spending restraint by the federal government and fundamental tax reform that eliminates corporate welfare and lowers individuals' rates. Instead, this package raises taxes, increases spending, and will lead to more borrowing. This deal is certainly no cure-all; rather, it falls far short of the measures necessary to promote job creation, economic growth, and fiscal stability.”

Jeff Sessions

“This legislation is necessary to prevent a large and painful tax increase from falling on the vast majority of Americans,” sessions said. “Now, it is important that we place our focus directly on the real cause of our nation's looming debt crisis: the continued surge in spending.”

<p>MONTGOMERY | All six Republicans in Alabama's House delegation voted against legislation to avoid the fiscal cliff, while Sens. Jeff Sessions and Richard Shelby are sharply divided on a deal to avoid tax increases on the middle class and major cuts to government spending. </p><p>Republican U.S. Reps. Jo Bonner, Martha Roby, Mike Rogers, Robert Aderholt, Spencer Bachus and Mo Brooks cast no votes. Alabama's lone Democrat, Rep. Terri Sewell, voted yes on the legislation that passed 257-167 Tuesday night. The Senate voted 89-8 early Tuesday to approve the legislation.</p><p>Roby said raising taxes without cutting spending goes against her core beliefs. Brooks said it was wrong to rush monumental legislation through Congress without time for the American people to review it. Sewell said the bill wasn't perfect, but it extended long-term unemployment benefits and tax cuts for the middle class.</p><p>The bill was negotiated by Vice President Joe Biden and Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. The proposed legislation prevents tax increases on the middle class, but imposes steeper rates on people with higher incomes. </p><p>Sessions issued a statement Tuesday saying the legislation will help end a period of uncertainty that may impact the country's opportunities for economic growth. </p><p>“This legislation is necessary to prevent a large and painful tax increase from falling on the vast majority of Americans,” sessions said. “Now, it is important that we place our focus directly on the real cause of our nation's looming debt crisis: the continued surge in spending.” </p><p>Shelby voted against the bill and said the country needs to exercise fiscal restraint. </p><p>“Instead, this package raises taxes, increases spending, and will lead to more borrowing,” Shelby said. “It falls far short of the measures necessary to promote job creation, economic growth and fiscal stability.” </p><p>Among other things, the proposed legislation blocks spending cuts for government agencies for two months and extends benefits for the long-term unemployed. </p><p>In a statement Tuesday, White House officials said the bill would impose a 39.6 percent tax on singles who earn more than $400,000 annually and married couples who jointly earn more than $450,000. Officials say the congressional Joint Committee on Taxation estimates raising taxes on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans would generate $620 billion in revenue.</p><p>Members of Alabama congressional delegation issued the following statements following the vote.</p><p><b><a href=http://roby.house.gov/press-release/rep-martha-roby-statement-tax-deal-vote>Martha Roby</a></b></p><p>“For months I have been hopeful Congress could agree on a reasonable plan to reduce our deficit and finally begin to address our national debt. I've repeatedly stressed that a truly balanced plan must include cuts to mandatory government spending. Unfortunately, the deal forged by the Senate and the Vice President does not contain real spending cuts, and I cannot support it.</p><p>“I ran for Congress campaigning on the need to get government spending under control. A last-minute deal that raises taxes without cutting spending goes against my core beliefs and against the conservative values of Alabama's Second Congressional District. Alabamians didn't send me to Washington to raise their taxes so the President can spend more of their hard-earned dollars. They sent me to get control of spending so we can ensure America's promise for the next generation.</p><p>“Washington doesn't have a taxing problem; it has a spending problem. We have $16 trillion in debt. We spend more than a trillion dollars more than we take in every year. It's past time we get serious about this country's spending problem and restore fiscal sanity to the budget.”</p><p><a href= http://bonner.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3791:rep-bonner-votes-against-senate-fiscal-cliff-agreement&catid=64:2012-press-releases><b> Jo Bonner</b></a></p><p>"At the end of the day I just couldn't support – with my one vote – such a flawed process. </p><p>"There is simply no way Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison or our other founding fathers could have ever envisioned having the Senate pass a $4 trillion addition to the debt of our nation at 2:00 a.m., only to have the House take it up less than 20 hours later and there be no regard for the long-term damage we are doing to America's future.</p><p>"Over the past several months, President Obama didn't hide the fact that he loathes the success some Americans have worked so hard to enjoy and he will get the tax increases he has so openly sought. But to think he and the Democrats in Congress couldn't have come up with a penny – not a single penny – of cuts to offset the $4 trillion in new spending is beyond the pale. </p><p>"This is a sad day for our country but the saddest, at least to me, was when the American people, on November 6th, expressed with their vote that they believed we could continue down the path of more spending and borrowing with no consequences."</p><p><a href=http://mike-rogers.house.gov/press-release/rogers-end-year-tax-deal-vote><b>Mike Rogers</b></a></p><p>“I am disappointed this agreement does not significantly help reduce Federal spending and therefore I could not support it. I firmly believe our growing fiscal crisis is rooted in Washington's spending problem, and I hope that will be the focus of debate in the coming weeks.”</p><p><a href=http://brooks.house.gov/press-releases/rep-brooks-to-vote-no-on-deficitridden-senate-fiscal-cliff-bill/><b>Mo Brooks</b></a> </p><p>“In less than 24 hours on a national holiday, Congress introduced, considered, and passed legislation that increases America's deficit by $330 billion in what's left of Fiscal Year 2012-13 and by $353 billion in FY 2013-14.</p><p> “This extraordinarily complex legislation dramatically impacts taxes, revenue, the economy, our debt, health care, and a myriad of other issues. It is wrong to rush monumental legislation through Congress in a way that denies the American people an opportunity to review, understand, and share their insight with Congress. I could not, in good conscience, condone with my vote a flawed process that denies the American people an opportunity to participate in their Republic on issues of this magnitude.</p><p> “According to Admiral Mike Mullen, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, America's greatest national security threat is its debt. America should heed Admiral Mullen's warning. The Senate's Fiscal Cliff bill, by itself, irresponsibly increases America's debt by $4 trillion over the next decade.[2] Rather than cut spending, it increases federal spending by $50 billion in FY 2012-13 and $55 billion in FY 2013-14. These spending increases will aggravate America's risk of a debilitating insolvency and bankruptcy.</p><p> “I found Alabama Senator Richard Shelby's remarks particularly persuasive when, after voting no, he stated: 'I do not support this agreement. Our economy needs spending restraint by the federal government and fundamental tax reform that eliminates corporate welfare and lowers individuals' rates. Instead, this package raises taxes, increases spending, and will lead to more borrowing. This deal is certainly no cure-all; rather, it falls far short of the measures necessary to promote job creation, economic growth, and fiscal stability.</p><p> “Had the Senate's Fiscal Cliff Bill been limited to tax issues and properly deliberated, I would have likely voted for it because I favor protecting as many Americans as possible from income and estate tax increases Washington Democrats passed in December 2010, effective January 1, 2013. Unfortunately, this legislation was not properly deliberated and covered issues wholly unrelated to protection from tax increases.”</p><p><a href= http://bachus.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1342><b>Spencer Bachus </b></a></p><p>“It is understandable why many people have been frustrated with this process. The 'fiscal cliff' did need to be addressed to avoid a massive tax increase on low and middle income Americans. But my personal view is that the legislation could have been much improved with the addition of spending cuts. The House, in fact, had already identified more than $200 billion in immediate potential savings. Unfortunately, the legislation sent to the House by the Senate actually increased the debt by $4 trillion. We cannot afford to keep adding to a huge debt that is already a threat to both our economic prosperity and national security, and without greater balance I could not vote for the legislation.”</p><p><a href=http://sewell.house.gov/press-release/statement-congresswoman-terri-sewell-house-passage-senate-bipartisan-fiscal-cliff-bill><b> Terri Sewell </b></a></p><p>“Tonight, I voted in favor of the bipartisan Senate bill to avert the fiscal cliff and avoid tax increases for 98% of Americans and 97% of our small businesses. While not perfect, the bill is a balanced and measured approach that includes revenues and spending cuts and permanently extends vital tax cuts for the middle class and working families. Moreover, two million Americans including 18,000 Alabamians who have experienced long-term unemployment will continue to receive emergency unemployment benefits. </p><p>I believe that the difference between a divided government and a dysfunctional government is the ability to compromise. I am glad that ultimately we have shown that when we work together for the common good of all Americans, this Congress can achieve workable solutions. To be sure, I do have serious concerns about the agreement. I had hoped we would realize more revenues and I am deeply concerned by the spending cuts to diabetic and renal care which disproportionally affects the minority families in my district and across this country. However, the compromise agreement is an acknowledgement of the need for shared sacrifice by all Americans to obtain economic growth. For the first time in twenty years, a bipartisan agreement has increased tax rates on the wealthy so that they contribute their fair share and the burden of deficit reduction is not solely on the middle class.</p><p>My vote tonight provides certainty to our financial markets, fixes permanently the AMT issue and protects 25 million working families by extending Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit and American Opportunity Tax Credit, which helps families pay for college. While there is still much work to do, I applaud President Barack Obama and our House and Senate Congressional Leadership for listening to the American people.”</p><p><a href=http://shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/newsreleases?ContentRecord_id=dc720900-b89f-452b-ad01-b6f61517d72f><b>Richard Shelby</a></b></p><p>“I do not support this agreement. Our economy needs spending restraint by the federal government and fundamental tax reform that eliminates corporate welfare and lowers individuals' rates. Instead, this package raises taxes, increases spending, and will lead to more borrowing. This deal is certainly no cure-all; rather, it falls far short of the measures necessary to promote job creation, economic growth, and fiscal stability.”</p><p><b>Jeff Sessions</b></p><p>“This legislation is necessary to prevent a large and painful tax increase from falling on the vast majority of Americans,” sessions said. “Now, it is important that we place our focus directly on the real cause of our nation's looming debt crisis: the continued surge in spending.”</p>